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A mother and a career woman has staged her first solo art exhibition proving that it's never too late to let your creative talents shine.
Bahraini Naghma Ahmed Mohseni, a personal assistant to an investment bank's chief executive, has been drawing and painting for 30 years in her home and at the Bahrain Contemporary Art Association's studio in Juffair where her current exhibit is being held until Friday.
She said: "While I have participated in a number of exhibits with fellow artists, this was an exciting step forward for me.
"It feels great to finally have done it. My family and friends encouraged me to pursue my art further and make the transition. They tell me I have a gift and I should use it."
Naghma, from Budaiya, said there were times when she thought she could not continue with her passion for painting. "It did not stop completely but it slowed down," she explained. "Being a mother of four and working a full day can be draining but the other factor was that by the end of the day there wasn't enough natural light to proceed so my art was often limited to the weekends.
"Now my children are all grown up and with their support and that of my husband Warqa Rohani I have taken my art to a new level. I need to continue growing and creating new forms of art."
Naghma has started to experiment with different styles and materials using oil and acrylic to capture a number of images and expressions on canvas.
She said: "I do not fall into a particular niche as I have a collection of scenic, contemporary paintings as well as abstract work. Every art lover is different and may like one painting more than the other.
"My exhibition allows art enthusiasts to see the progression in my work and understand where I came from."
The most popular pieces in her current collection appear to be a series of three scenic images of two Bahrainis walking in a park.
"I have found that most of my guests have been drawn to those paintings as it is like a continuation of a story," added Naghma.
Naghma's exhibition runs until May 14 and her offerings are being quickly snapped up by visitors. Prices start from BD120.
She added: "I hope to encourage others to be more creative and to appreciate the beauty and value of art.
"It really is never too late to pick up a brush or even stage your own exhibition."
Naghma's exhibition is open from 9am until 9pm under the patronage of The Ministry of Culture & Information and has been organised by the Bahrain Contemporary Art Association.
